Floor cleansing device



Dec. 24, 1963 E. R. BALLANTYNE FLOOR CLEANSING DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed July 13, 1961 INVENTOR.

Dec. 24, 1963 E. R. BALLANTYNE 3,114,922

FLOOR CLEANSING DEVICE Filed July 13, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INCREASE IDECREASE Dec. 24, 1963 E. R. BALLANTYNE 3,

FLOOR CLEANSING DEVICE Filed July 13, 1961 .5 Sheets-Sheet 3 TO FLUIDVALVE INVENTOR.

United States Patent 3,114,922 FLOQR CLEANSWG DEVICE Earnest R.Emlantyne, Columbus, Ohio, assignor to Wayne Chemical Company, acorporation of Uhio Filed Jniy 13, 1961, Ser. No. 123,800 11 Claims.(Cl. -59) This invention relates generally to floor covering cleansingdevices and specifically to a new and improved method and means ofdispensing the cleansing material on the floor covering to facilitatethe brush action in a floor cleansing device.

There are many floor covering cleansing devices available on the market,both the professional type and the home do-it-yourself variety.Basically, the principle of operation of these cleansing devices is todispense a detergent, liquid on dry, on the floor and to activate thedetergent through brush action. More particularly, a typical prior artcleaning device will comprise a tank for storing liquid detergent; thetank having a series of ports, with a hand-operated shutter mechanism,for dispensing the liquid either on a brush, sponge or directly to thefloor. The liquid detergent is then converted into suds by theback-and-forth or circular motion of the brushes in contact with thecovering.

The prior art devices, although seemingly having a fundamental basis ofoperation, are not operable their intended manner. In the firstinstance, the mechanical liquid shutters are not very effective,permitting the tanks to leak. But the most serious drawback to the priorart devices is that they dispense the liquid erratically. A uniformapplication of liquid is almost impossible-to the least it is reservedfor only the most skilled operators. And since the application is in anon-uniform manner, there results in an excess amount of detergent beingused that would normally be required for the job. Again, by theapplication of an excessive amount of detergent, the floor covering willremain wet a longer period of time. This will therefore cause the floorcovering to be sticky and more susceptible to dirt and stains than ifthe covering were not attempted to be cleaned, or may cause shrinkage orbubbling.

My invention is very generally based on the principle of activating thedetergentthat is converting it to suds or foam prior to application tothe floor covering. In this manner, the floor covering remains dry, atleast comparatively speaking, removing the danger of further shrinkageand rapid subsequent soiling. Also, a uniform application of cleanser isapplied with my invention with no skill or extra effort. Further, sinceonly the detergent that is used is dispensed, a considerable savings inrelatively expensive detergent is made. I have found that it is possibleto clean as high as twice as much floor covering, of the carpeting type,with my invention than was previously possible.

Accordingly, it is a general object of my invention to provide a new andimproved floor cleansing device.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a new and improvedfloor cleansing device that permits an even distribution of cleansingmaterial on the floor covering.

Another object of my invention is to provide a new and improved floorcovering cleansing device that will dis- "ice 2 pense only that amountof detergent required to complete the cleansing operation.

Another object of my invention is to provide a new and improved floorcovering cleansing device that will not excessively wet the floorcovering.

Other objects and features of my invention will become apparent from thefollowing detailed description when taken in conjunction with thedrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an overall illustration in perspective of a preferredembodiment of my invention with the outer housings removed.

FIG. 2 illustrates partly in cutaway schematic the foam generator thatforms a part of preferred embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates the foam dispensing mechanism of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates the mechanical operation of the brush activator of analternative arrangement of that shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of the mechanism of FIG. 1 wherein electricpower means is substituted for the mechanical action.

FIG. 6 is an over-all illustration in perspective of a preferredembodiment of my invention.

FIG. 7 is an alternative embodiment of the present invention adaptingthe principles of my invention to a power driven portable cleaningdevice.

FIG. 8 illustrates the use of a plurality of smaller foam generators inlieu of a single larger foam generator.

FIG. 9 is another preferred embodiment of my inven tion employing a foamgenerator having a different principle of operation.

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of the foam generator illustrated inFIG. 9.

FIGS. 10a and I-Ob show in detail disk 1-24 of FIG. 10.

FIG. 11 is the fluid valve and air bleeder valve of mechanism shown inthe foam generator of FIG. 9.

In the following specification the term floor covering is intended toinclude the natural or synthetic fiber rugs or carpet-s and also thehard floor coverings such as linoleum and tile. The term detergent orcleansing material is intended to include the soaps, chemicals or otherdetergents. However, although these other cleansing matelIlEllS may beused, I have found that the detergent marketed under the trademarkLustre Foam is especially suitable for obtaining the desired result.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is illustrated generally at =10 apreferred embodiment of my invention. I have found that dispensingcleansing material directly to the floor covering is not an eflicientnor economical manner of cleaning. Over-wetting of the floor coveringmay cause shrinkage, uneven cleaning, too long a drying time, orbubbling. To overcome these prior art problems, my principle ofoperation very generally is to activate the cleansing material into afoam or foaming lather and to apply the foam only to the floor covering.In this manner, it is not possible to overwet the floor and there isused only that cleansing material necessary to the cleaning operation.

More specifically, the foam generator shown generally at 20 comprises adetergent storage tank 22 and pump means 24 that is activated by theback-and-forth movement of the floor contacting mechanism showngenerally at 39. As the foam or foam-ing lather is generated in thepump, it is expelled at the outlet 28. The foam is then transferred bythe transfer means 26 to be dispensed to the floor covering 12 adjacentthe point of contact of the brushes to floor covering.

In more detail foam generator 20, whose operation is more fullydescribed with relation to FIG. 2, is supported on an inverted U bracket16 by either welding, nut bolt, or any other conventional means. Thetips of the U bracket have an aperture 56 formed therein to accommodatethe axle 31. The axle 31 (now referring also to FIG. 4) has fixedlypositioned thereon a pair of wheels 33 and 35 to facilitate movement ofthe device and to impart a pumping action to the foam generator pump 24.To impart this pumping action, axle 31 has formed therein, in agenerally central area, a center of rotation displaced portion 37.Joined to axle portion 37 is pump shaft linkage 38 through a looselyfitting aperture at end 39. As the wheels 33 and 35 are moved eitherforwards or backwards, the linkage 33 and hence shaft 40 will becompelled to follow in an up-and-down movement. This movement of shaft40 is imparted to pump 24 to cause a continuous activation of thedetergent cleansing material in the generator 20. This activationconverts the cleansing material to foam that is permitted to be expelledthrough outlet 28. The foam is then carried through the transfer means26 to be dispensed to the floor covering 12 directly adjacent thebrushes 49 and 59.

In order to dispense the foam more evenly to the floor covering 12,there may be connected to transfer means 26 a dispenser 76 of FIG. 3.Since foam comprises mostly air, there will be no tendency for it todrop directly, thereby the chamber formed by the dispenser 70 will befilled. The dispenser chamber 71 has a continuous opening 72 at itslower end to permit the foam to contact the floor covering evenly acrossthe area covered by the brushes. As the floor contacting mechanism ismoved back and forth, the brushes 50 and 49 will be in contact with thefloor covering. Consequently, the only cleansing material that ispermitted to reach the floor covering 12 is the foam being worked in bythe brushes 49 and 50. To complete the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1,the U bracket support 16 has mounted on its upper end the handle 52 thatassists the user in the cleansing operation. The handle 52 also has agripping portion 46 and within finger grasp of the handle 46 is a springreturned lever 44 to control the air build-up in the foam generator tank22.

Referring now to FIG. 2 there is shown in more detail the foam generator20. Again generally the generator 20 comprises a storage tank 22 forcontaining the cleansing material 11, a pump 24, energized by shaft 40and foam tank 41 and a foam outlet means 28 having connected thereto afoam transfer means 26. In the operation of foam generator 20 when therod 40 is pushed in the compression plunger forming a close contact tothe inner walls 24a and 24b of the pump compresses the air in chamber-17. This action causes a build up of air in chamber 19 formed bybulkheads 18 and 23. The ball valve 18a in the bulkhead 18 prevents theair escaping back into chamber 17 on the reverse stroke of thecompression plunger 15. The air in chamber 19 is forced into tank 22through outlet '13 causing the liquid 11 to rise in the tube 14 and outorifice 27d at top end of tube. A portion of the air in chamber 19 isalso forced through the ports 27b and 27c located on either side of tube14 a short distance from the top end of '14. The air entering 27b and27c assists the spraying action and mixture of air and fluid at orifice27d. The liquid and air expelled from 27d strikes the inner walls ofnozzle 27 and is forced through port 27a in a fine spray. This spray isforced through the fine mesh screen 2742 and is converted into a foam.The foam is then forced, when chamber 41 is filled, out into thetransfer means 26 connected to the port 28.

To increase the brush action imparted to the floor covering material apair of circular brushes may be substituted for the linear brushes 49and 50 of FIG. 1. With reference to FIG. 4, brushes 47 and 51 aremounted on the over-all frame 53 by interconnecting the shafts 61 and 63thereto through loosely fitting apertures in the frame 53. To impartcircular motion to brushes 47 and 51, there is provided on either end ofshafts 61 and 63 pulleys 65 and 73. There is adapted tightly to thesepulleys 65 and 73 belts 66 and 69 interconnecting pulleys 67 and 77 toaxle 31.

In some instances where a considerably larger area is desired to becleaned, it may be necessary to electrically drive the pump for the foamgenerator in order to generate a sufficient amount of foam. Also, sincethe greatest physical exertion in the use of the preferred embodimentwould be in the brush contact, it may also be desirable to electricallydrive the brushes. With reference to FIG. 5 there is shown electricmotor 91 energized by electrical source 94. Connected to motor shaft91a. is a pulley 95 having a belt 92 tightly coupling pulley 93. Thesize of pulleys 95 and 93, of course, may be chosen to the appropriategear ratio. Pulley 93 being fixedly connected to axle 3 1 drives boththe pump shaft 38 and the two brushes 51 and 47 through the pulley andbelt action described in relation with FIG. 4 above.

Referring to FIG. 6 there is illustrated the preferred embodiment ofFIG. 1 with all of the moving parts and mechanical operation removedfrom view by the streamlined housing and 82. Also shown in thisembodiment is the handle 46 that also serves the purpose of anelectrical switch by the up and down movement and as a rheostat tocontrol the speed of the electrical drive. Also for convenience there isattached to handle 52 retaining means 96 and 96a for coiling of theelectrical wire 94.

To simplify the direct contact of the foam to the floorespecially in alarger cleansing operationit may be advantageous to employ a pluralityof small foam generators such as shown in FIG. 8. The advantage of thearrangement of FIG. 8 is that a large pump with an extended stroke wouldnot be necessary. Further, a more even distribution of foam to the fiooris possible with the plurality of pumps so that an elaborate dispenseror even that shown in FIG. 3, would not be necessary. The displaced axis37a and 37b of the axle 31 will preferably be diametrically opposed.However, with a plurality of generators, the Wheel crank ratio can bedecreased considerably.

With reference to FIG. 7 there is shown another embodiment that adaptsthe principles of my invention to another type of cleaning operation. Insome instances the material to be cleaned, such as upholstery, drapes,and car seats would not be reached by a floor type of cleaning device.Accordingly, there is shown in FIG. 7 a portable type of cleaner thatcould be utilized for all types of cleaning operations. In more detail,the principle of operation is similar to that of FIG. 1, except that thefoam generator and/ or the brushes are power driven. Further, the entiremechanism is housed into a portable device. That is, housing 102 coversthe entire mechanism and is secured thereto by fastener 103. Tofacilitate the hand operation, handle 101 is attached thereto.

The air valve and release mechanism 44 of FIG. 1 is also shown in moredetail in FIG. 2. In operation of the cleansing device, if it is desiredto stop the foaming action of generator 20, it will be necessary torelease the built up air pressure. To accomplish this, lever 44 ispushed from the normally up position to a down position. Morespecifically, the rubber stopper 30 rests on an opening in the wall 31of the fluid chamber. Compression spring 32 is positioned between wall31 and retaining disk 33 and is fixedly attached to both. The rubberstopper is fixedly attached to the retaining disk by means of a shortshaft. The rubber stopper 30 is smaller in diameter than the ID. of thespring. When the lever 44 is in the up position the tension on thelinking wire 34 from .5 Valve to lever overcomes spring tension andcloses air opening 35. This allows pressure to build up in tank 22. Whenlever is in down position spring pulls stopper away from openingallowing built-up pressure to be released and stops action of foamgenerator. Filling cap 36 to fluid tank is shown in FIG. 2. Handle andfoam generator assembly are at an angle of approximately 45 with floorsurface thus permitting location of cap relative to valve to be suchthat fluid cannot interior with valve action.

Referring now to FIG. 9 there is shown the combination of a cleansingfoam generator together with a floor covering applicator similar to thecombination of FIG. 1. However, in FIG. '9 the foam generator 130 has adifferent principle of operation than that shown in FIG. 2. The detailsof this operation may now be described in conjunction with FIG. 9 thatshows the over-all combination and FIG. 10 that is a cross sectionalview thereof. The driver wheel axle 131 travels in an elongated slot 160in the housing 182. When the over-all mechanism is pulled backwards, thewheels 133 and 135, and hence the axle 131, will move to the forward endof the slot 160. In this position the wheels 133 and 135 will be free intheir movement. When the over-all mechanism is pushed forward, thewheels 133 and 135, and hence the axle 131, will move to the rearwardend of the slot 160. In this position driven wheels 133 and 135 willengage driven wheels 161 and 162 on the fan shaft 134. The driven wheels161 and 162 in turn rotate the flywheels 163 and 164 building up a speedof rotation. The speed of the flywheels 163 and 164 is governed by therelative size of the drive and driven wheels and the circumference andmass of the fly wheels.

Within the cylinder 134) there is housed a left and right three-stageimpeller fan arrangement. This fan arrangement is of the type that drawsair in the ports 138 and 138a positioned in the end plates of thecylinder 130. The air thusly sucked in is permitted to be exhaustedthrough a centrally located major orifice.

Generally speaking, in operation of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 and10, a fine mesh screen is placed over the orifice. A fine spray ofdetergent is permitted to strike the screen as the air is beingexhausted. More specifically and now referring to FIG. 10, there isshown a pump and spray mechanism that is operated by the crank 137 onthe axle 13-1. As the crank 137 rotates the linkage 138 actuates thereciprocatory pump 119. The liquid is forced by air pressure through thesmall openings 121 and 121a in inner plate 124 and is channeled throughradial grooves in 124 and is then expelled through opening 122 in plate125 as a fine spray.

The liquid spray outlet 122 is directly opposite the screen 127 coveringthe air exhaust. Accordingly, the air being exhausted is mixed with theliquid spray and the mixture is forced through the screen 127. As themixture hits the screen 127, it is converted to 'foam. The foam istransmitted by transfer tube 126- to the floor covering directly infront of the applicator brushes. The foam is scrubbed into the floorcovering by the brush action in the fore-and-aft movement of the overallmechanism.

FIGURE 11 is the fluid valve and air bleeder valve of mechanism shown inFIG. 9. The rubber stopper 106 is held by a compression spring 104(operating between bracket 107 and top of stopper) against fluid outlet116 located at bottom of tank. When lever located on upper par-t ofhandle in FIG. 1 is in down position outlet 116 is closed and fluid flowto fluid conducting tube 112 in shut off. When lever is in up positionstopper 106 is pulled up by means of linkage wire 103, allowing fluid toflow into tube 112 and thence to pump FIG. 10. Shaft 109 passing throughcenter of stopper 106 has afiixed by means of a crosspiece at its lowerend a tube 110 which fits closely against walls of rigid extension tube114 from tank. 113 is a small air port in 114. When stopper is in closedposition air enters at 11.3 and passes through tube into fluid line @112thence to pump FIG. 10 preventing vacuum lock in line. When stopper isopen tube 110 is in raised position closing bleeder port 113 thuspreventing liquid from flowing out at this point.

Although !I have shown only certain and specific embodiments of myinvention, it is to be expressly understood that modifications anddepartures may be made thereto without departing from the true spiritand scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A cleansing device of the kind described comprising, a housing having(an enlarged workpiece contacting means and an elongated handle attachedthereto; a liquid detergent storage tank mounted on said housing, airgenerating pump means positioned adjacent to and in communication withsaid liquid storage tank, an activator associated with the movement ofsaid housing for activating said pump means and to communicate air intosaid detergent storage tank, liquid detergent impeding means, a nozzle,said air forcing said liquid deterbent to said nozzle, means alsointroducing said air into said nozzle and to force a mixture of said airand said detergent through said impedance means for converting saiddetergent to foam, an applicator mounted within said enlarged workpiececontacting means, and transfer means connected to said foam generatorand said applicator for transferring said foam to said workpieceadjacent said applicator.

2. A cleansing device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said airgenerating pump means has an air chamber and an air exhaust, a liquidtransfer means extending from said liquid storage means into said airchamber, said activator forcing air into said air chamber and thuslyforcing liquid through said transfer means to be expelled through saidexhaust, an impedance means in the path of said expelled liquid, saidair forcing said liquid through said impedance means to convert saidmixture of air and detergent to foam, and means for connecting said foamtransfer means to said foam being expelled through said impedance means.

3. A cleansing device as set forth in claim 2 wherein said impedancemeans is a wire mesh screen.

4. A cleansing device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said foamgenerator air chamber includes an excess area for air storage and meansfor expelling the stored air.

5. A cleansing device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said applicator isone or more brushes.

6. A cleansing device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said applicatorincludes a brush fixedly positioned in the forwardmost position of saidhousing.

7. A cleansing device of the kind described comprising, a housing havingan enlarged workpiece contacting means and an elongated handle, a pairof wheels and an axle connecting said wheels to said housing formovement thereof, a liquid detergent storage tank mounted on saidhousing, air generating pump means positioned adjacent to and incommunication with said storage tank, an area of displaced center ofrotation on said axle, and linkage means connecting said displaced areato said pump means, said air forcibly expelling said liquid detergentand means for mixing said air and said detergent to convent said mixtureto foam; an applicator positioned in said housing, and means fortransferring said foam to the workpiece adjacent said applicator.

8. A cleansing device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said transfermeans includes an enlarged portion having a transverse outlet means forevenly distributing said foam to said workpiece.

9. A cleansing device of the kind described comprising a workpiececontacting means, a handle attached thereto, a liquid detergent storagetank mounted adjacent said handle, a housing having air intake means andan air outlet means, air generating pump means in communication withsaid liquid storage tank and said housing, an activator associated withthe movement of said contacting means for activating said pump means,means interposed between said pump means and said housing for convertingsaid liquid detergent to a liquid spray, said pump means forcing saidspray into said housing, mixing means positioned over said air outletmeans for mixing said liquid spray with said air from said air intakemeans thereby converting said mixture to foam, and transfer meansconnected to said housing at said air outlet means for transferring saidfoam to said workpiece.

10. A cleansing device as set forth in claim 9 wherein said housingfurther comprises end plates having said air intake means therein andsaid air outlet means is centrally located in said housing; and whereinsaid mixing means comprises a spnay flow restricting screen means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSPeterson Jan. 10, 1893 Erbs Feb. 21, 1956

7. A CLEANSING DEVICE OF THE KIND DESCRIBED COMPRISING, A HOUSING HAVINGAN ENLARGED WORKPIECE CONTACTING MEANS AND AN ELONGATED HANDLE, A PAIROF WHEELS AND AN AXLE CONNECTING SAID WHEELS TO SAID HOUSING FORMOVEMENT THEREOF, A LIQUID DETERGENT STORAGE TANK MOUNTED ON SAIDHOUSING, AIR GENERATING PUMP MEANS POSITIONED ADJACENT TO AND INCOMMUNICATION WITH SAID STORAGE TANK, AN AREA OF DISPLACED CENTER OFROTATION ON SAID AXLE, AND LINKAGE MEANS CONNECTING SAID DISPLACED AREATO SAID PUMP MEANS, SAID AIR FORCIBLY EXPELLING SAID LIQUID DETERGENTAND MEANS FOR MIXING SAID AIR AND SAID DETERGENT TO CONVERT SAID MIXTURETO FOAM; AN APPLICATOR POSITIONED IN SAID HOUSING, AND MEANS FORTRANSFERRING SAID FOAM TO THE WORKPIECE ADJACENT SAID APPLICATOR.